In Memory of . . . Robert C. Clarke (1928-2013)
The Rev. Robert C. Clarke died on January 18, 2013. He was 84 years old.
Rev. Clarke was born in Seattle, WA on June 11, 1928 to Ethel (Moore) and Clarence Clarke. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Millikin University in 1960. He then went on to attain a Bachelor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1963.
Rev. Clarke was ordained on September 20, 1964 at the First Unitarian Society in Exeter, NH, where he also served from 1964-1967. He went on to serve the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA from 1967-1977; The First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX from 1977-1980; the Unitarian Church North in Mequon, WI from 1982-1983; and the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, OH from 1983-1991. Rev. Clarke was honored with the title of Minister Emeritus from the First Unitarian Church, and retired from ministry in 1991. In 1996, he helped found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Ephraim, WI.
Committed to his faith, Rev. Clarke lectured at the Star Island Family Conference in 1966; and spoke at the Southwestern Regional Conference in 1979. He was a member of the Holmes-Weatherly Award Committee in 1970 and 1971. He also served as Chairman of the Washington Advisory Committee to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Department of Social Responsibility in 1967; as well as the Commission on Education for Professional Religious Leadership from 1970-1971.
Rev. Clarke enjoyed football, softball, golf, music, and reading. He was a guest on numerous religious television programs in Chicago, IL, Washington D.C., and Dallas, TX. He also volunteered at the Hadley School for the Blind and counseled prisoners.
Rev. Clarke is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anne; daughter, Betsy; son, Jim; grandchildren Marie and Justin; and great-granddaughter, Ava. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen, and brothers, Jim and Jack.
A memorial concert will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, 10341 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54211.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Anne Clarke at 10554 Applewood Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Society ─Scandia Village at 10560 Applewood Rd., Sister Bay, WI 54234; or to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County at P.O. Box 859, Sister Bay, WI 54234.
This is sent 11 years after Bob Clarke’s death, as I’m just learning of it now. I was first introduced to Unitarian-Universalism as a young man living in Dallas in the late 70 s, as he was beginning his stint at the 1st Church there. He was a truly dynamic and eloquent minister, thoroughly grounded in the history and scholarship of the faith. A newcomer to the UU world couldn’t have asked for a better mentor into all that our denomination stands for. I, along with many other members of that congregation, were heartbroken when he left in 1980. I’m truly envious of the congregants in Cincinnati and Wisconsin who were able to spend a longer time with him; our loss was their gain. Belated condolences to Anne and the family.